in this topic of autopsy and embalming, various topics like definition of autopsy and embalming, purposes, steps, procedure, role of nurse is discussed.

2. Definition
An autopsy (post-mortem) is
the surgical dissection of a
body after death to determine
the exact cause and
circumstances of death or
discover the pathway of a
disease.

3. Objectives
1. To find out the cause of death.
2. To ascertain whether death is
Natural or Unnatural.
3. Whether the death is Homicidal,
Suicidal or accidental causes such as
motor vehicle crashes, falls, the
ingestion of drugs or deaths with in 24
hours of hospital admission.

4. Objectives
4. To ascertain time passed since death
5. To establish the identity of the
body.
6. Whether still-birth or live birth of
newly born infant.

5. Stages of Autopsy Examination
1.Physical examination of clothes
and collection of evidence in
them.
2. Physical examination of body
surfaces and collection of any
evidence.
3. Opening of the body cavities.

6. Stages of Autopsy Examination
4. Scrutiny of internal contents of
cavities and vital systems.
5. Collection of specimens.
6. Closure of body/reconstruction.
7. Disposal of dead body-
Relatives or Police

7. Nurses Responsibilities
1.Obtain the consent for autopsy.
2.Inform the family members that an
autopsy doesn’t deform the body
and that all the organs are replaced
in the body.
3.Explain the patient relatives that
an autopsy may contribute to
advances in medical science.

8. Nurses Responsibilities
4.Answer the family member’s
doubts and support the family as
necessary.
5.Respect and honour family
wishes and final decisions regarding
tissue or organ donation.

10. Definition
Embalming is the art and
science of preserving
human body by treating
them with chemicals to
prevent decomposition.

11. Embalming is meant
to temporarily
preserve the body of
a deceased person.

12. Purpose
 To keep the body
suitable for public display
at a funeral.
 For medical and
scientific purposes such as
their use as anatomical
specimens

13. Goals
Sanitization
Presentation
Preservation

14. Chemicals used for Embalming
Formaldehyde
Glutaraldehyde
Ethanol

15. Steps
Arterial embalming
Cavity embalming
Hypodermic embalming
Surface embalming